Protesters try to storm air base used by America

War against terrorism: Pakistan

At least one protester died and 12 people were injured when police in Pakistan opened fire yesterday on a crowd of anti-American demonstrators attempting to storm an air base where US forces are deployed.

It was the most violent and determined anti-US protest since the air strikes on Afghanistan started one week ago and formed an ominous prelude to the visit of Colin Powell, the Secretary of State, to the region today.

Thousands of demonstrators shouting "Down with Bush dog" and "Afghanistan will be America's graveyard" evaded a large police cordon and swarmed into Jacobabad, in the province of Sindh, southern Pakistan. They marched on Shabhaz airport, one of two in Pakistan that the American military is using.

Eight days ago, the leader of the protesters, Maulana Faz- lur Rehman, who is the head of Pakistan's most radical Islamic party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), issued a call to destroy any American aircraft found "polluting" Pakistani soil.

The protesters were trying to obey his instructions but rangers and police fired tear gas and live rounds, killing the son of a leading Islamic cleric. At least 12 other people were injured, including one policeman.

At least 3,000 paramilitary rangers had been posted around Jacobabad, home to some 200,000 people and named after John Jacob, the eccentric Victorian administrator who developed the area.

One JUI leader, Abdul Ghaffer Haideri, said: "We will break the restrictions imposed by the government. We will not leave any American on Pakistani soil – or in Afghanistan."

Pakistan has agreed to let America use two airports for logistical support for its air attacks. The first is Shahbaz, the other is Pasni, at a remote spot on the coast. Pakistan's government agreed to their use by America on condition they are not used as a springboard for military attacks.

But this stipulation, which America appears to have accepted, cut as little ice with demonstrators yesterday as had America's decision to stop bombing raids on Friday in deference to Islam's day of prayer. "We strongly condemn the handover of bases to America by the government," said Mr Haldieri. "This is an injustice to Pakistan and to Islam," he added.

Ali Shah, Jacobabad's police chief, said his forces had detained more than 500 people since Sunday morning. "I will take every step to enforce law and order in the city," he said.

The violent clashes provide a harsh backdrop for General Powell's visit to Pakistan and India. Details of the trip have been kept secret but it will clearly be brief and businesslike. Religious leaders are calling for a nationwide strike today. "The nation will not tolerate his unclean feet on our clean land," said a statement issued on Friday by a group of pro-Taliban religious parties, referring to the fact Pakistan means "Land of the Pure."

His visit, they went on, would "add salt to the injuries of Pakistani Muslims." General Powell and his host, Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf, will have plenty to discuss. One week ago, General Musharraf declared the American offensive would be "short and sharp." but US officials have since underlined the campaign has no time limit.

Then there is the perennially sensitive subject of Kashmir, the Himalayan state on which both Pakistan and India have a claim. After a suicide attack on the parliament building in Indian Kashmir on 1 October, which killed 38 and for which credit was claimed by a Pakistan-based group called Jaish-e-Mohammad, India described Pakistan as the "epicentre of terrorism," and threatened to strike at militant training camps in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir.

The last thing America needs is for Pakistan to be attacked at the rear by India. The deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage told reporters that part of General Powell's mission was to "lower the temperature" over Kashmir. He reminded them of a description of Kashmir 11 years ago as "one of the most dangerous places in the world," and said it was still true today. Afghans bracing for another night under the bombs in Kabul or Kandahar may feel their towns have a stronger claim.